[Federal Register: November 7, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 216)]
[Notices]
[Page 56421-56423]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07no01-141]
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Part V
Department of Education
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Rehabilitation Short-Term Training; Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Rehabilitation Short-Term Training
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of final priority.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services announces a priority under the
Rehabilitation Short-Term Training program. The Assistant Secretary may
use this priority for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2002 and in
later years. We take this action to focus on training in areas of
national need. We intend the priority to improve the leadership among
top-level managers and administrators of the State Vocational
Rehabilitation Services Program.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This priority is effective December 7, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Marschall, U.S. Department
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3325, Switzer Building,
Washington, DC 20202-2649. Telephone: (202) 205-2779 or via Internet:
Christine.Marschall@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the TDD number at (202) 205-8133.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The State Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Program continues to undergo significant change. Vocational
rehabilitation (VR) programs are serving increased numbers of
individuals with significant disabilities, are seeking to reach
unserved and underserved populations, and increasingly are recognizing
that their success in promoting the employment of their consumers
depends in part on the strength of their linkages with employers and
with generic employment and training programs. In their efforts to
improve the employment outcomes of the individuals they serve, State VR
agencies must remain alert to this ever-changing environment.
The changed environment of State VR agencies demands a different
set of skills from leaders and managers than has traditionally been
required. Managers and leaders in the VR system need to develop new
skills to respond effectively to the changing demands. We have
determined that it is in the best interest of the State VR Services
Program to develop a leadership training program that focuses on
leadership skills as applied to the unique issues facing the VR
agencies in a peer setting. Progressive levels of training are needed
to meet the varying needs of administrators and directors. One
institute would ensure consistency in training and provide for better
quality control. State agencies would be required to provide some
degree of support to the program.
We published a notice of proposed priority for this program in the
Federal Register on August 6, 2001 (66 FR 41126). The notice of
proposed priority included a discussion of the significant issues and
analysis used in the determination of this priority.
There are no differences between the notice of proposed priority
and this notice of final priority.
Analysis Of Comments and Changes
In response to our invitation in the notice of proposed priority,
three parties submitted comments on the proposed priority. An analysis
of the comments and of any changes in the priority since publication of
the notice of proposed priority follows.
Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes--and
suggested changes the law does not authorize us to make under the
applicable statutory authority.
Comments: One commenter recommended that we require the project to
be based on academic credit and lead to a formal certificate or degree.
Discussion: While in Rehabilitation Long-Term Training grants there
is a statutory requirement that training be based on academic credit
and lead to a formal certificate or degree, there is no authority to
include this requirement in the Rehabilitation Short-Term Training
priority. However, programs that provide academic credit and lead to a
formal certificate or degree are not prohibited under the priority.
Changes: None.
Comments: One commenter recommended a requirement that the training
be linked directly to the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development
requirements.
Discussion: We agree that there is a logical link between the
proposed priority and the requirements of the Comprehensive System of
Personnel Development. However, we do not agree that addressing such a
link should be a requirement that an applicant must address.
Changes: None.
Comments: One commenter recommended that State agencies sending
participants to the leadership program not be required to contribute to
the cost of the program.
Discussion: The notice of proposed priority indicated the benefits
associated with requiring financial support to be provided by the State
agency of participants. We do not agree that elimination of the
financial contributions of State agencies would contribute to the
overall goals of the program.
Changes: None.
Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in
which we choose to use this priority, we invite applications through
a notice in the Federal Register. When inviting applications we
designate the priority as absolute, competitive preference, or
invitational. The effect of each type of priority follows:
Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority we consider only
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference
priority we give competitive preference to an application by either (1)
awarding additional points, depending on how well or the extent to
which the application meets the competitive priority (34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) selecting an application that meets the
competitive priority over an application of comparable merit that does
not meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority we are
particularly interested in applications that meet the invitational
priority. However, we do not give an application that meets the
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other
applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
Priority
National Rehabilitation Leadership Institute
We will fund one project to establish a National Rehabilitation
Leadership Institute that will focus on developing the leadership
skills of top-level managers and administrators in State VR agencies.
The project must have plans for addressing the leadership needs in all
VR agencies funded under the Act and programs funded under section 121
of the Act.
The project must employ a curriculum that focuses on the
development of leadership skills and on the application of those skills
to current challenges and issues in the VR program. The project must be
capable of structuring leadership curricula around
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current VR issues of national significance, such as using VR evaluation
standards and performance indicators to assess and improve agency
performance, coordinating effectively with generic employment and
training programs, and increasing client choice. The advisory committee
(described later in this notice) and the Assistant Secretary will
determine actual issues.
The project must employ a curriculum that includes several levels
of training to meet the needs of audiences ranging from new State
administrators and directors to seasoned administrators and directors.
The project's curriculum must include sequential courses that allow for
repeated practice of newly learned skills over time, with performance
feedback. The project must provide training in a peer setting.
The project must coordinate its training activities with activities
conducted under the State Vocational Rehabilitation Unit In-Service
Training program, the Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program, and
the National Technical Assistance Centers funded by the Rehabilitation
Services Administration (RSA). These programs are also charged with
improving the leadership skills of State agency personnel. Therefore,
collaboration and coordination are necessary.
The project must establish an advisory committee that includes RSA
central and regional office representatives, representatives of State
VR agency administrators and trainers, rehabilitation counselors, VR
clients, Regional Continuing Education Centers, other educators and
trainers of VR personnel, tribes and tribal agencies, and others as
determined to be appropriate by the grantee and RSA. This committee
must provide substantial input on and direction to the training
curriculum, including the specific VR issues to be incorporated.
The project must include an evaluation component based upon clear,
specific performance and outcome measures. The results must be reported
in its annual progress report.
The project must be designed to ensure that State agencies will
contribute to the costs of the participant's training.
National Education Goals
The eight National Education Goals focus the Nation's education
reform efforts and provide a framework for improving teaching and
learning.
This priority is intended to address the National Education Goal
that every adult American will be literate and will possess the
knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and
exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
Intergovernmental Review
This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the
regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the Executive
order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened
federalism. The Executive order relies on processes developed by State
and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal
financial assistance.
This document provides early notification of our specific plans and
actions for this program.
Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR parts 385 and 390.
Electronic Access to This Document
You may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site:
www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister.
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.246D
Rehabilitation Short-Term Training).
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 772.
Dated: November 2, 2001.
Robert H. Pasternack,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 01-27938 Filed 10-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P